Youth Leadership Groups
At Alternatives we believe that youth are already resilient, insightful, and powerful. All they need are authentic opportunities to further develop and demonstrate their abilities as leaders and changemakers. Youth in Alternatives’ programs have the opportunity to flip the script, challenge people’s perceptions of them, and elevate their voices on the issues that are most pressing to them. Click below for more info on our youth program offerings for ages 11-24 during the FY21 school year.
[/vc_column_text][mk_button size=”large” url=”https://alternativesyouth.org/programming/” align=”center”]SIGN UP[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][mk_blockquote font_family=”none”]“The best part about Alternatives is that it gives the youth a place to go that will turn their lives around for the good.”[/mk_blockquote][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4483″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_swipe_slideshow images=”251,252,249″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Girl World Through field trips and community engagement, girls learn about themselves and the world around them. Program activities support participants as they cultivate self-esteem and self-advocacy, learn the power of teamwork, and promote awareness of social justice issues, particularly those affecting girls and women. 92% of participants said they set higher goals for themselves as a result of participating in Girl World.
“I think the best part of Alternatives is the open space and the freedom to be yourself. Girl World is an experience I will never forget.”Through these activities, Girl World participants develop leadership skills, explore their college and career options, and learn about the importance of positive decisions and healthy relationships.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text align=”center”]
Peace Ambassadors
Alternatives’ provides an intensive curriculum to train youth and young adults in using Restorative Justice practices. This training is ideal for individuals who want to learn about conflict transformation, creating healing spaces, and understanding roots of violence. We explore ways to prevent harm to ourselves and our community through relationship-building.
This program, which centers young people who have been marginalized in a variety of ways (i.e. experiences with the criminal justice system, homelessness, etc.), builds on the unique strengths of participants and helps develop skills to reclaim their community.
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”286″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text align=”center”]Career and Employment Services
Early work experience offers young people a critical stepping stone to future employment opportunities, and recent research cites youth employment as a key step in reducing violence in underserved communities.
88% of employers in our summer program said they would hire the young person placed with them if they had a job opening.
Alternatives’ Career and Employment Services (CES) program works intensively with youth from low-income communities to prepare them to enter the workforce. Job placement includes summer and year-round employment, job training, and one-on-one coaching and support.
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